by Karen Buda, Coordinator, The Community Well
Happy American Heart Month! Heart disease is still the number one cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every February the American Heart Association (AHA) highlights the risks and warning signs of heart disease, and publicizes healthy lifestyle choices you can make to reduce your risk of heart disease.
The seven tips below are elaborated on the “Go Red for Women” section of the AHA website. They will contribute to your heart’s health and will also help prevent other diseases.
Seven easy ways to help control your risk for heart disease:
1. Get active
2. Control cholesterol
3. Eat better
4. Manage blood pressure
5. Lose weight
6. Reduce blood sugar
7. Stop smoking
Also relevant are these three suggestions from other AHA materials:

  1. See your health provider regularly
  2. Take medications as prescribed
  3. Work with your physician to assess your family history

It’s never too soon to start living a heart-healthy life!